To the north, the wind gathers
heat in the desert, rivers run
dry, empty billabongs crack
under the Summer’s glare,
soil blows from eroded farms,
forms dust storms above the plains.

To the west, sheep graze
on dry brown plains, yearn
for spring rain and fresh green
grass. Farmers patrol fence lines,
kill rabbits, foxes and roos.
Kids catch yabbies in the creek,
rest in the shade of the water tank.

To the east, the hills congregate
into formations, gather beneath
the Great Dividing Range.
Ghost gums and snow gums
dance under the Southern Cross.

To the south, the Southern Ocean
breaks against the shipwreck coast,
batters sandstone cliffs and headlands,
carves caves above rock shelves and pools
sheltering crabs and lobsters, spans the space
between Antarctica and Australia,
nurtures whales, seals and penguins,
reminds us of our insignificance.